Mommabears Day Nursery and Preschool

Slime, a homemade car wash and carefully connected train tracks give Mommabears Day Nursery and Preschool a recognisable character in its August 2023 snapshot: children explored materials, made things together and recreated familiar experiences through play. These are useful examples of what occupied children, rather than a list of educational promises.

At its August 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. The setting has capacity for 50 children aged 0 to 60 months, at Welcome Change Community Centre in Shard End, Birmingham.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: everyday play sits alongside support for their development and wellbeing.

In August 2023, staff built learning plans around children's interests, observations of their activities and information from parents. Sensory play included sand and slime, with adults introducing words to describe texture. Joining train-track pieces gave children a practical reason to cooperate and use their hands carefully.

The garden offered another kind of activity that August. Children washed toy vehicles with sponges and brushes, experimenting with bubbles as they played together. Local walks also introduced places beyond the nursery and gave staff opportunities to discuss road safety. These experiences connected play with everyday skills.

In August 2023, children sought out staff to share experiences and talk about their families. Information gathered from parents helped staff support the move from home to nursery, while an online application kept families informed about activities and development. Staff also shared ideas for continuing learning at home.

Rest was part of the day that August, with quiet spaces within rooms for children wanting a break. Older children used the bathroom independently; younger children's nappies were changed regularly. Freshly prepared food accommodated individual dietary needs and preferences, and water was accessible throughout the day.

Two teaching points needed attention in August 2023. Adults sometimes moved to another question or supplied an answer before children had time to respond. Resources represented different abilities and people from around the world, but children needed more opportunities to learn about different family structures.

The address is Welcome Change Community Centre, Ownall Road, Shard End, Birmingham B34 7AJ. Opening hours are 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closure on bank holidays.

In August 2023, funded early education was offered for three- and four-year-old children. That dated position should be kept separate from a family's present funding and attendance decisions.

• Time to answer. In August 2023, adults sometimes answered too quickly for children. During a visit, look for pauses that let children think and finish their response.
• Different families. The August 2023 improvement point concerned children's understanding of family structures. Look at how books and everyday discussions represent families beyond a child's own.
• Your attendance plan. The opening window runs from 08:00 to 18:00. What booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements can you offer for our child's age?

Mommabears suits families seeking an all-year nursery with weekday opening from 08:00 to 18:00. Its August 2023 picture combines practical, sensory play with close adult relationships and communication with parents. The two teaching improvement points give families concrete things to examine when deciding whether the daily experience fits their child.